NFL DRAFT 11-20

At 11 the Bills reach and take DE Aaron Maybin. Another of these guys who play a  5 technique.   But many draft nicks had Maybin as a bottom 5 pick in the first round.  Michael Johnson was rated much higher. 

The  Broncos reach and grab RB Knowshon Moreno, the big RB from Georgia. Although this is a reach, we like the pick. RB is the position you can reach for, if you need the position and if the guy is a player. RB's (unlike WR's and QB's) can generally play and play well as rookies. This was a pick you would have thought the Bronco's would have made at 17, but they were afraid of San Diego at 16.   Also, with the QB position now up for grabs in Denver, it helps to have a big back take some of the pressure off the QB. At 220 pounds, Moreno is that back. 

The Skins grab DE Brian Orakpo, who fell out of the top ten and this is a great value pick for the Skins. 

At 14 the Saints picked Ohio State CB Malcom Jenkins. We like Vontae Davis a bit better at CB,  but still a good pick here for the Aints. 

at 15 Houston picks USC OLB Brian Cushing. Everything you want in an OLB, but Rumpole says, average at best. This guy will never be as good as say Lamar Woodley, the Steelers OLB who tore up the league this year and was selected in the second round a few years ago.

The Chargers at 16 make a big reach and grab OLB Larry English. From Northern  Illinois this guy was rated as late first, or early second round. The Chargers passed on higher rated LBs like Ray Maualuga, and James Laurinatis. This is a bit of a shocker. 

The Cleveland Clowns are back on the clock, having picked the pocket of the Jets, and with plenty of talent they need still available including the best TE in the draft, some top WRs, some top rated O- Lineman. Maybe, just maybe the Browns do something good for a change. THE BROWNS TRADE AGAIN- TO THE TAMPA BUCS!!!!!

 The Browns got the Jets pick at 17 and their second at 52 and three players for the trade. 

Looking for the Bucs to grab QB Josh Freeman here.  The Bucs moved up two spots, getting ahead of the Broncos. That makes Freeman the pick here because it was logical to suspect the Broncos wanted the big QB. 

The Bucs selected Josh Freeman. Nick pick. 

The Broncos, who may have just had their pocket picked, are now up.  The Boncos grab Tennessee DE Robert Ayers. This guy is explosive and has all the tools. He could be a real steal here. Meanwhile USC LB Ray Maualuga who was considered a top ten pick may fall out of the top 20. Quite frankly we don't like USC LBs as a general rule, but as we are now in spitting distance of our Fins, we wouldn't be surprised to see Parcells grab him. 

Meanwhile at 19, the Browns who have the Bucs pick have TRADED THE PICK AGAIN, TO THE EAGLES THIS TIME.  The Browns swap first rounders with the Eagles and the Bucs and got additional six round picks from both teams as well. 

The Eagles select: Jeremy Maclin, the speedy Missouri WR. Need to keep McNabb happy. 

The Lions select again to round out the top 20. Fins a few picks away at 25. If they really like someone, now is the time to move up. Moving a few spots costs a six rounder at this stage. Not a bad deal.  While we are on record saying the Fins would never select a WR in the first round, Parcells would love to grab Brandon Pettigrew, the big TE (6'5, 260) from Ok State. 

The Lions select (in a spot they got from the Cowpokes for receiver WR last year) Brandon Pettigrew (there goes the Fins pick). Nice pick. A big guy. Can block and help protect their new QB, and is a great big and fast target for their new QB. Many people had Pettigrew rated as a top ten pick in their draft. We love this pick for the lions. Very nice.